Page 136 of Obsessed by My Ex's Mafia Uncle

Chapter Twenty-Two

Robert

The tray tilts dangerously in my hand as I shoulder the back door open, balancing too many things at once like I’ve got something to prove.

Which, apparently, I do.

The weekend is finally here.

“Don’t drop that,” Atelia calls from somewhere behind me, not looking, because she already knows I won’t.

I step out into the backyard, the late afternoon sun catching the edge of the glass bowls, the metal of the tongs, the ridiculous amount of food I’ve decided is necessary for what is essentially a cookout.

I set everything down on the long table, adjusting a plate that doesn’t need adjusting, shifting a bowl half an inch to the left like that matters.

It doesn’t, but my hands need something to do.

“Relax,” Atelia teases, stepping out behind me with a bottle of something she stole from my kitchen. “You’re hosting a cookout, not negotiating a ceasefire.”

“Same thing.” I glance at her. “It better come out perfect.” I reach for the grill lid and flip it open.

Heat rolls up immediately, wrapping around me.

“That explains the overkill.” Atelia hums, gesturing toward the table. “Are you feeding guests or opening a restaurant?”

“I like options.”

“Too many gets people bored.” She drones, twisting the cap off the bottle and taking a sip.

I reach for the meat, laying it down carefully, and the sizzle answers instantly.

“You’ve been restless all morning,” she adds, leaning her hip against the counter behind us, watching me like she has nothing better to do.

“I have not.”

“You rearranged the spice rack twice.”

“That was necessary.”

“It was alphabetical the first time.” She continues to poke.

I flick her a look.

She smiles, knowing what she’s doing.

“Tell me how you’re feeling.” She shrugs like she’s asking about the weather.

“I’m fine.”

“Right.” She laughs, loud enough to call me out.

“Yeah.” I flip the meat.

She huffs, unimpressed.

“You’ve got something else to say?” I reach for the seasoning, sprinkling it over the grill with more focus than necessary.

She watches me for a moment, then tilts her head.